I have now walked with greatness.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity and privilege to hear Dr. Calvin Miller speak. He kept the audience in both awe and hysterics. He stood slightly hunched over. His light blue suit hung loosely over his medium frame. His beard–trimmed and white–and wire rim glasses added to the aura of intelligence his words proudly proclaimed. One cannot help but listen to Dr. Miller for long before one knows how brilliant the mind of the man is.

When his speech was done and a final song had been sung, I rushed over to his product table and bought his latest work: Into the Depths of God. My friend, Jill Rigby, was nearby. Knowing her desire to grow deeper in love with the Lord, I held up my copy; a suggestion she purchase the same. She did. Together we approached the author for an autograph.

Over the next week, Jill and I–she in Louisiana and me in Florida–kept the phone lines buzzing with our calls. We were both amazed at the…well…depth of Dr. Miller’s words. We both agreed that our walk with God had taken a new turn, risen to a new height, because of the words penned by this man.

That was several years ago. According to the inscription on the title page of my worn copy, it’s been just a tad over 4 years. Since that time, I have read the book a couple of times a year, whether I need to or not. I quote from it when I speak (see page 220-221). It is dog-earred, underlined, bears coffee rings (a true testiment to my love for a work), and tear stained. It is one of the few books I would grab were my house on fire.

Last week, while at ICRS (International Christian Retailer’s Show), I strolled behind fellow authors, etc. on our way to the Baker Publishing Group dinner, held at the Georgia Acquarium. At some point, as the small crowd waited on a street corner for the flashing hand on the other side to change to a walking man, I realized I was standing behind Dr. Miller. I nearly killed myself to scoot closer…to hear what great piece of wisdom was pouring out of his mouth.

After he acknowledge my presence (who me?), I gushed about what his work meant to me (he was kind, of course). I quoted my favorite line in the book. With merriment in his eyes, he looked into mine and said, “I wrote that?”

I said, “Yes, you did.”

He chuckled and replied, “That’s pretty good.”

And then we both laughed. And he introduced me to his wife, who said she loved to read novels. I said I’d send her copies of mine. They aren’t nearly as theological as her husband’s but I think she’ll be entertained, I told her. At some point we spoke–the three of us–about my “Israel book project” for Thomas Nelson. Dr. Miller was quite interested and we spoke of endorsements. Writers do this sort of thing when they get together.

And then, we were at our destination. We said our “nice to meet you’s” and separated.

My heart soared. I felt as though I’d walked with greatness. A brilliant mind that has sought after the love of his life, Jesus. That said, though we–Dr. Miller and I–walk together no more, yet in Christ we continue to step together, bound by our walk with Jesus. There is a connection that cannot be seen, but is felt. We are walking with a greater greatness than either of us will ever comprehend or recognize, this side of heaven.

And this is my reminder…to look past the crowds (and daily clutter of things to do, places to go, people to see) and see Jesus…walking just slightly ahead, waiting to be recognized, to be spoken to, to be heard. Patiently expecting us to say, “My favorite line of Your Book is….”

And maybe…just maybe…Jesus, with merriment in His eyes, will say, “I wrote that? That’s pretty good…..”

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